Then &amp; Now

07/08/2011 07:17AM
● By Style

ALBUMS

THEN:

All Things Must Pass – George Harrison

Moving out from the shadow of Lennon-McCartney, George Harrison’s 1970 solo album All Things Must Pass shows Harrison’s mastery, combining mysticism and sentimentality with the deft, effortless hand of a genius. There’s barely a bad track...to wit, three of Harrison’s most beloved songs are all on this debut, “My Sweet Lord,” “If Not For You,” and “What is Love.”

NOW:

Ukulele Songs – Eddie Vedder

It’s hard to be maudlin strumming a ukulele. With this new collection of original songs and Pearl Jam covers, Eddie Vedder, “angsty” Pearl Jam frontman, shows a side Pearl Jam fans have long known – Vedder is a lovable goofball who loves music and throws caution to the wind. A fun, engaging sidetrack for fans or amused/curious onlookers.

—Sharon Penny

BOOKS

THEN:

The War for Late Night: When Leno Went Early and Televison Went Crazy by Bill Carter

It doesn’t matter whose side you took in the Late Night Wars of 2010...Conan, Leno or Letterman, there was no denying it made for the best late-night television in years. As Bill Carter’s The War for Late Night shows, the truth is even more fascinating than what we remember of those crazy months. A must-read.

NOW:

Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales

Starting out as a rinky-dink sports channel in 1979, ESPN is now the sports Mechagodzilla. As with the adage “you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs,” you can’t make a sports network without mega-egos, scandals and feuds. Olberman, Patrick, Berman and other ESPN anchors and onlookers weigh in on the sausage making. Two words: “en fuego.”

—Sharon Penny

FILMS

THEN:

Cactus Flower

This hilarious farce features an unusual, but strangely workable cast of Walter Matthau, a fresh-faced Goldie Hawn, and Ingrid Bergman. Dr. Julian (Matthau) is a womanizer who tells his girlfriend (Hawn) that he is married so he can avoid having to commit to her. He gets his assistant (Bergman) to pose as his wife and chaos ensues. Hawn may have won an Oscar for her role, but Bergman steals the film in one of her only comedic roles. Although a bit dated, audiences of all ages will appreciate the humor.

NOW:

Just Go With It

Starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, this rom-com may be a bit predictable, but the chemistry between the leads packs a comedic punch. Sandler plays Danny, a surgeon who falls for his dream girl (Brooklyn Decker) and must spin a web of lies after she finds a wedding band that he uses to avoid commitment. His assistant (Aniston) is roped into his scheme and his tangled deceit begins to fall apart. Sandler and Aniston carry the film with their easy banter and likeability.